In a new public statement, a former actress has claimed she was introduced to the controversial organization NXIVM by a fellow performer from her time on a popular television series.
The actress, who was convicted on racketeering charges related to the group, detailed the origins of her involvement on the debut episode of her recently launched podcast. She described a close friendship with her co-star during the early 2000s, marked by international travel and a shared life in New York City.
Despite professional success and personal relationships, both women reportedly grappled with a persistent sense of emptiness. “I felt this odd void, which seemed so wrong given my circumstances,” the former actress recounted telling her friend, who allegedly expressed similar feelings.
It was during this period, the actress stated, that her co-star began enthusiastically promoting a personal development course she had taken. The co-star reportedly described it as transformative, calling it “the science of joy” and insisting her friend participate.
According to the podcast account, this encouragement led the actress to attend a weekend retreat with the organization’s founders. NXIVM, which initially presented itself as a self-help company, was later exposed in court as a criminal enterprise involved in racketeering and other serious offenses.
The co-star has publicly addressed her past involvement in separate statements, confirming she took courses but left the organization years ago. She has stated she initially believed it to be a legitimate personal growth program and has denied participation in any criminal activity.
The former actress was sentenced in connection with the NXIVM case in 2021 and was released in 2023. Her recent comments mark her first extended public discussion since her incarceration.
